The Fox, Gloucestershire

Ring the Fox at Lower Oddington in Gloucestershire and the phone is likely to be answered by the pub's enthusiastic French manager Thomas Chiche. Chiche stamps his Gallic charm throughout this Virginia-clad Cotswold village pub, which was taken over last year by new owners Ian MacKenzie and James Cathcart. "We set ourselves high standards of service and hospitality," said Chiche, who presides over a staff of 20 at the Fox. "It costs nothing to give customers a cheery welcome and ensure they get prompt and efficient service." Despite the heavy emphasis on food, the Fox insists on retaining its pub atmosphere. "We are not a pub restaurant but a pub which serves excellent food. We try hard to keep the beer side an essential part of the overall business," Chiche stressed. "Food is a big draw here and we change our menus every two months to try new ideas and add different twists to the food offering." The Fox has three letting bedrooms which Chiche describes as "old fashioned and comfortable". The 11th century pub has won many awards not just for its food but also for its levels of hospitality. In warm weather an outside covered terrace overlooking a cottage garden is a big draw for diners, who can choose from an adventurous menu served in a "casual pub atmosphere". Chiche explains: "We do not have a separate restaurant as such, so diners can eat in all parts of the pub from the same menu." It's all part of the Fox's policy of trying to maintain an informal pub atmosphere ­ one distinguished critic described it as a "five star restaurant wearing pub camouflage.